Lanarkshire young people celebrate success with Prince’s Trust

Young people from across Lanarkshire celebrated their successes after completing their Winter Prince’s Trust Team Programmes with New College Lanarkshire.

Hosted in the College’s Coatbridge, Cumbernauld and Motherwell Campuses, 'Team 3' participants completed the Prince’s Trust 12-week Team Programme - a personal development programme for 16-25 year olds, supporting them in taking steps towards future employment and training.

The learners celebrated their achievements and experiences at final presentation ceremonies where they shared their experiences and achievements during the programme, including team building, work experience, residential and interpersonal skills development.

Achievements included:

The Coatbridge Team raising an incredible collection for the Coatbridge Food Bank

The Motherwell team supporting Beachwood Care home in Wishaw, tidying their garden, painting the fences and flowerbeds as well as planning and delivering activities with the residents

The Cumbernauld team cleaning up Millcroft Park in collaboration with The Corra Foundation and North Lanarkshire Council

Caitlin, one of the Cumbernauld participants, described how the programme has helped her over the past 12 weeks, saying: “I am so proud of how far I have come. Before team, I was struggling to figure out what I wanted to do in life. I am proud of overcoming mental health challenges, the team has taken me out of my comfort zone and I now feel more confident about my next steps. I would recommend Team to anyone!”

Jamie Hirrell, Programme Executive at the Prince’s Trust added: “We congratulate all the learners successfully completing the Team Programme. The Prince's Trust is a strong supporter and partner of New College Lanarkshire. In partnership with the College we aim to develop the Team programme and offer post programme support and progression routes.”

Stuart Matson, Community Programmes Manager responsible for Prince’s Trust Teams at New College Lanarkshire, said: “Since the restart of Team programmes in January 2018, over 115 young people have benefited in improving their skills, confidence and future prospects.

“We are now recruiting for our Spring teams and welcome any referrals and partnerships with employers and community agencies in regards to placements, community projects and team challenge opportunities. We need your support in making this the most successful programme of its kind in Lanarkshire.

“Finally, we would like to express our thanks to the Social Sciences students, Alexis Whelan and Dawn Bunce who provided voluntary support and the HMRC Employed Volunteers, Daniel Selwyn, Francisca Giwa and Holly Allison. Thanks also to the staff at Greggs who kindly provided unsold food donations to the Cumbernauld team."